–Schedule note: The moment this blog-item posts my vacation starts and all will go mostly quiet on this site for 9 or 10 days. With NBA free-agent talks starting at 9 p.m. Saturday night, this is not the ideal timing, but…

A) No deals involving new contracts can be official until July 11; B) I don’t expect the Warriors to be incredibly busy through the negotiating period (but you never know); and…

C) It’s a Bay Area reality that sports columnists probably should take most of our down time before the start of NFL training camps (and these days, also before the baseball postseason), for good reason.

Back July 9. Until then, some quick thoughts re-capping the Warriors draft and looking to what might happen in free-agency…

-While in general I give the Warriors draft and really most of their moves dating back to the Bogut trade a solid thumbs up, they still have some depth issues at power forward and in the back court.

Even if Bogut and Stephen Curry come back healthy and the main core has chemistry, the Warriors need to fill in some gaps if they’re going to be aiming for a playoff spot–and they say they definitely are aiming for that.

Plus, they’ve got too many small forwards.

Even if you don’t count restricted F/A Brandon Rush (who they want to keep) and unrestricted F/A Dominic McGuire (who they also want to keep), after drafting Harrison Barnes and Draymond Green, the Warriors also have Dorell Wright and Richard Jefferson.

I’ve written that I expect the Warriors to move Wright fairly quickly, that’d be a start. I don’t think they’ll get much for him, maybe only cap-relief and a 2nd-round pick, if that’s available. He should have some trade value at the very least as an expiring contract and veteran wing.

When I asked Bob Myers last night about moving Wright, he said the team likes him and intends to keep him, but that’s what a GM has to say (and Wright is Myers’ former client).

Financially, I think the Warriors probably have to know they’re moving Wright before they can make money-calls on Rush and/or McGuire or invest decent money anywhere else, even though they’ll have their mid-level exception no matter what.

It’s just a matter of the roster fit/salary balance right now. You can only have and pay-for so many forwards on the roster at once.

If the GSWs do move Wright–or don’t re-sign either Rush or McGuire–then I think their first free-agent priority might be Memphis RFA Darrell Arthur, a solid, fairly rugged pick-and-pop power forward.

Arthur, if healthy, could slide into the rotation backing up David Lee; currently, Lee doesn’t have a true back-up on the Warriors’ roster.

Arthur suffered a torn ACL last season, so he’s another injury risk (to join with Bogut and Curry), but that’s also one big reason the GSWs might get him with a reasonable offer.

It’s not clear that Memphis, jammed up financially right now, would match a solid offer for Arthur. Memphis extended a qualifying offer to him today–and didn’t do so for O.J. Mayo, so maybe that frees up enough money to keep Arthur, we’ll see.

(I do not expect the Warriors to target Mayo for back court depth, by the way.)

On the Warriors’ part, I don’t know if they’d offer Arthur the full mid-level for the max years, but that’s what the July negotiating period is all about.

After that, the money really starts to get tight for the Warriors, presuming that Arthur (or another veteran PF) will take up almost all of the MLE.

The Warriors assuredly would like a tough veteran guard who can play the point just in case Curry isn’t all the way back; the team likes Charles Jenkins, but he probably shouldn’t be playing 30 minutes a game.

The problem, as Joe Lacob said last night, is that there just aren’t that many PGs out there in free-agency this year.

The Warriors aren’t going to be high on the list of the big PG names–Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Andre Miller and Jeremy Lin, who is a RFA (and likely to remain with the Knicks).

And then? I think the Warriors were interested in trading for non-free-agent Kyle Lowry during the draft, but that was only if Harrison Barnes wasn’t there at the 7th slot.

Once they took Barnes, I don’t see what they can offer that would pry Lowry from Houston.

The other obvious name is UFA Brandon Roy, who is very close to Myers and has indicated that he’s coming out of his brief retirement.

He isn’t a pure PG, but a healthy Roy, fired up to prove himself again, would be an incredible play-making weapon alongside the weapons the Warriors have already assembled.

I’m sure the Warriors will have interest, especially after coming out of this draft without a guard. I’m sure Roy will have interest in them, if only because of the Myers connection and the West Coast location.

I just don’t know what the price-tag will be and I don’t think Roy or the Warriors know. Will there be big bidding by several teams? Can the Warriors get into anything like that, with the money they have committed elsewhere?

Would they go multiple years at anything near the MLE for such a huge injury risk, given their existing major injury-risks?

My gut sense is that Roy will be looking for another kind of opportunity, with a more established team.

But if nothing much better emerges, he’ll listen to the Warriors, as a Plan B or C.
I’m sure other names will come up–at both PF and PG and other positions. I’ll catch up on them in a while. Until then….

Roy was amnestied last season. Explain how this works. He can get his full Portland money – no matter where he plays, no? Or is he free to go to the highest bidder like an UFA?

Todd Fuller

All of the above options suck

PhillyJ

Backup PF is already on the roster–Jeremy Tyler

We need a backup PG badly

Mike

The Warriors’ billy goat curse moment (ala the Cubs) dates all the way back to Robert Parrish and No. 3 (Kevin McHale) for the No. 1 pick (Joe Barry Carroll). The stink of that trade is so bad that the NBA Draft god is still making the GSWs pay with bad breaks. We need like an exorcism or something. Maybe the Arena just needs to be fumigated before the Dubs can turn it around completely.

Gizzm

needs a backup PG, Jenkins is not the answer and Curry will probably be grabbin some pine due to his ankle for sure.

rockridge

I love the Warriors draft…

There are still some quality FA’s available who didn’t get drafted last night.

Whatever Darrell Arthur he gives us on defense he’ll more than give back on the offensive end. Pass.

Italy415

Enjoy your Vacation Tim!!!!!

EvanZ

Jason Thompson. MLE. Do it.

johnny

I am surprised D. Gordon was not drafted. hopefully they give him a look this summer. they should just sign his younger brother, Aaron, (Sr, Mitty HS) now. 🙂

GSWFan

How about Biedreins for Tyrus Thomas (both are in bad situations for their respective teams and trade maybe good for both)

Maybe D Wright and Jenkins for Augustin as well?

Eric R

Jenkins is a solid backup, Trade Steph and his busted ankles

jpschewey

“The Warriors assuredly would like a tough veteran guard who can play the point just in case Curry isn’t all the way back”

————

Regarding Curry and to a lesser degree Bogut, I realize that one must think positive and hope for the best in terms of health. Based on what I’ve seen with Curry, there is nothing that leads me to believe that he will ever be “all the way back” from what is obviously a chronic condition. Furthermore, at his best Curry is a flawed player not the savior-poster boy-superstar-leader that so many think he is.

Regardless, at least the Warriors are a significantly more interesting and relevant topic than at any time in recent memory.

Have a good vacation TK.

Ron

If I were the GM I would try hard to get Nash. Is the a better mentor for Curry, plus he still has a few years left in the tank.

NotSoOldBlue

Does Gutierrez have a shot to make an NBA roster? Probably not…

Mike Segarra

J.J. Hickson is now unrestricted, and he should be cheap. With how well he’s played in recent months for a team that would actually allow him to play, why don’t we go for him? That’s great depth at PF with Jeremy Tyler as well.

Rubio’s ACL

Jason Kidd has already said he would be a backup, and I’m sure he wouldn’t be too expensive. Why not try to get him to finish his career at home and mentor Curry/Jenkins?

Martina

@Mike – There is no curse, not for the Cubs, not for the Red Sox, nada.
It’s just years of inept ownership/management decisions. Why people believe in that curse bulls*** is beyond me.

New ownership pulled the trigger on Ellis for Bogut – a gamble to be sure. But one thing we know, with Ellis and without a power game the best the Warriors were going to do was #8 … maybe.

Stlkr

JENKINS is a beast… I think he is like a Gilbert Arenas (The healthy one). He can create his own shot and he has a NBA body already. I believe he is more of a SG/PG though. He is a keeper. You all must have forgot that the reason the Warriors let Lin go is cuz JENKINS was killing him in practice …

Jeremy

Signing Roy would be incredible. He can prob only play 20-25 min a game and will need some Spurs-like rest, but he’s an elite playmaker when he’s on the court. He’s on the floor in the final 2 min of the 4th quarter alongside Curry, Rush, Lee/McGuire, and Bogut.

Be nice to bring Kwame back as well. The Warriors still need a defensive big man who can match up with bigger PFs that McGuire can’t handle. They should have enough offense from the back court, Lee, and Bogut but their still lacking in two-way players and defensive stalwarts.

Agree that Myers and West did a good job on the draft, I think that Barnes, Ezeli and Green should give the team more weapons, however since Oakland still is not a real exciting destination for free agents, it will be tough to get a good one to come here. Why would Roy come here when he can win a title with the Lakers? The Warriors will be lucky to talk Darrell Arthur into coming to Oracle, they may have to guarantee him playing time.

rayoflight

This team stinks.

Stinks.

Sorry, I’ve seen NOTHING indicating Steph Curry is an elite anything.

Nothing.

Bogut could be a serviceable center. He ain’t elite. Then what? David Lee? He is a losing basketball player.

Steph Curry sucks. I stopped watching the Warriors when they traded Monte Ellis. Monta was just coming around and growing because Steph couldnt stay healthy, and then what do they do…they trade Monta WTF! Steph’s ankle has been a problem and will continue to be a problem (based on past history). Luckily, the Warriors seem to be taking shape, I LOVE the Harrison Barnes pick! We got some def players, and if they can all stay healthy now. #1 priority should be to dump Andres B, and his salary. I wouldnt be surprise if they amnesty him. Todd Fuller, Adonyl Foyle, and Andres Biedrens….all got paid by the Warriors WHYYYYYYYYYY??????????????????????????????

Im not sold on Curry at all. His ankles aren’t looking too solid. Would have rather traded him than Monta

Dumb Fan

Enough with the crap about Ellis! He is at best scoring off the bench for a crummy team. The W’s took a solid risk on Bogut to improve the team.

If the injury risks pan out this team has a chance to be good.

A team built around Ellis will be mediocre.

SoCalWarrior

All of you people dumping on Curry are going to be creaming all over him if/when he starts playing well.

Yes, he had an injury plagued season last year. He’s had multiple surgeries and hopefully is better.

Lighten up Francis

Luke mcwarmsky

I would do a sign and trade, Nash straight up for Curry. This would put the Dubs as Western conference favorites.

And would rather have grandpa rather than gimpy.

roadster

Have we looked at UFA PG Jonny Flynn? He has 3 yrs NBA experience (Minnesota, Houston, and Portland). He might suit well with our young team and should be affordable.

Go Warriors

TK no mention of Hickson? Plenty of sources talking about that being in the works and GSW being one of two teams to lock him down.

All you 2007 bandwagons finally bailing now, good riddance, you’ll be missing out on some good ball. This team with the emergence of Klay, has some quality pieces to make a turn for the better. In West we trust.

BananaSpartan

The start of last year was frustating in that they should have amnestied Biedrens instead of Bell (who could have instead been trade filler later in the season) when clearing cap space to go after the Clips center.

However, they finally got out ahead, a little bit, when they made the Monta trade. That’s a trade that winning organizations make. Monta was going to be pure poison the longer he stayed around; in fact, I think he would have been similar to Sprewell (except for choking the coach). The last thing a struggling team needs is a free agent to be whining about still being here. I really thought the Warriors were going to have to give him away this summer (and maybe even include their 1st round pick) just to get rid of him. They did have to include Udoh (who I really liked) but they got back a legitimate center, somebody who’s proven and hopefully isn’t injury-prone. To me, it was a risk worth taking.

And it appears they got all the players they wanted with their draft picks. I know that it would be great to hit that home run and get Anthony Davis or Dwight Howard, but Barnes should at the very least be a competent off the bench scorer, and most likely a decent starting SF. He has the potential to be as a good as Carmelo Anthony in terms of scoring and rebounding (but with better character). Festus, if he’s at least a backup center for 5 years, is a great value pick at #30. And I think could be a Corliss Williamson type forward–can spot start here and there but if he’s coming off the bench, he gives you the complete basketball player competency on both ends of the floor, especially if he’s matched up against opponent “tweener” forwards. At #35, if he’s a rotation player, he’s one of those guys, like Brandon Rush, who every game you look at the +/- and he’s in the +. Maybe he’s not great looking in the box score, but he’s that guy who lets the coach keep a player in foul trouble on the bench those extra 3-5 minutes in the second quarter or late 3rd quarter to mid 4th quarter.

There’s a semblance of toughness, position balance, and competency at most positions now with this team. There are still some holes at guard and PF, but if Curry and Bogut are both healthy, that allows Klay to play some PG, Jenkins to back them up and only needed for 7-10 mpf instead of 25 mpg. It allows Tyler to play PF instead of C (especially if Festus can play this season).

I hope they can trade D. Wright for something decent (I would even take a trade exception and 2nd round pick). This ownership would use a trade exception compared to the Cohan regime.

I’d still like to see Lee traded but his contract is ridiculous and I hope that this new regime is still kicking themselves (I bet Jerry West reminds them of such stupidity frequently, especially because it kills their chances of landing the superstar they covet). Maybe Lee will play just well enough this season to fool some other team into taking him. The sad thing is that white players are always tradeable. Dunleavy and Murphy should have fetched nothing, but the Warriors got 2 upgrades in return in Harrington and Stephen Jackson. Yes, headcases, but 2 guys who could really play.

Nipper

Stay on vacation, Tim. Leave the Warriors alone. Those pesky questions will upset the Warriors karma. Now the Raiders are another matter. Rip them good!

I think you have to keep Wright until the midway point. If Barnes is ready to take over by then or Green surprises, then move Wright to a team that needs depth at SF. We have a lot of depth there currently, but mostly young and inexperienced roster so far.

lobo

joe nice guy
joe is a carnival barker like some others….all hat no horse
all f/a don’t seem to anxious to come eve with improved roster
sooner they get rid of curry…yeah curry better off….he is not healthy enough to play the game….great when healthy
andris must go regardless

last and most important….Jackson is a pure amateur coach…no better than i am….with the likes of both van g’s, sloan etc sitting out there HOW in their right mind do they stick with this guy….he is really all talk and no show….had a great shot at dumping him…don’t expect too much until 14-15

GSWFan

Lakers said they are willing to do a sign and trade of Ramon Sessions…please try to do it via trade of Richard Jefferson or DWright plus Jenkins..Sessions is a solid 3rd guard option and great assist man! Lacob and Myers please talk to LA! I think LA will be happy with Jefferson and Jenkins if they don’t get Grant Hill.